Its been a while since I've been able to work on my runner and this project has only been getting worse. This is what was left of my passenger side rockers lol.
I had previously used a Wolf replacement rocker for the drivers side and it didn't quite fit right. I had to beat it and massage it to work, especially the dogleg at the rear door. For this one I had a donor 2001 to cut parts off of.
First I removed all the outer rust and found part of the front door pillar had cancer. This is when it was a blessing to have a donor. This is also when I had a moment of panic and started thinking that it was a mistake to try and save this 4Runner. It worked out in the end but it was a bit of work.
Pillar rust cut out and scribing in new part.
Something that came as a surprise was an extra crash support hidden in the rocker of the 2001.
I cut the spot welds on that support and added it to my 96.
All welded up and bondo'd. Ready for sanding and paint.
The rust on the inner rocker is by far the most difficult to repair. Access is super limited. Avoid Wolf panels if you have the option. You will need much more skill to get them on. The factory salvage parts almost install themselves once the spot welds are drilled out and ground flat. For what its worth I paid about $200 for the Wolf parts and $600 for the whole donor truck. Having that door support to cut off was priceless.
Cheers.
D'arce
I had previously used a Wolf replacement rocker for the drivers side and it didn't quite fit right. I had to beat it and massage it to work, especially the dogleg at the rear door. For this one I had a donor 2001 to cut parts off of.
First I removed all the outer rust and found part of the front door pillar had cancer. This is when it was a blessing to have a donor. This is also when I had a moment of panic and started thinking that it was a mistake to try and save this 4Runner. It worked out in the end but it was a bit of work.
Pillar rust cut out and scribing in new part.
Something that came as a surprise was an extra crash support hidden in the rocker of the 2001.
I cut the spot welds on that support and added it to my 96.
All welded up and bondo'd. Ready for sanding and paint.
The rust on the inner rocker is by far the most difficult to repair. Access is super limited. Avoid Wolf panels if you have the option. You will need much more skill to get them on. The factory salvage parts almost install themselves once the spot welds are drilled out and ground flat. For what its worth I paid about $200 for the Wolf parts and $600 for the whole donor truck. Having that door support to cut off was priceless.
Cheers.
D'arce
Some people are more Do it yourselfers and dont mind putting the time in to learn new skills or improve on existing ones. 
